Craig Dawson 'really enjoying' playing centre-back for West Brom

The 28-year-old submitted a transfer request in the summer, but is now set to play his 200th game for Albion this Saturday after the club refused to sell him.

Dawson, who has been an Albion player for eight years, spent the first part of the season out of the team, but has now struck up a strong partnership at centre-back with Ahmed Hegazi.

And having played at right-back for years under Tony Pulis, he is relishing his role in his preferred position.

“I have always felt centre-half was my strongest position and the one I enjoyed playing most,” said Dawson.

“Those years at right back were a good education for me and they help expand my game.

“It was a chance to play in the first team at Premier League level. But I’m really enjoying the role now.

“Ahmed and I have complemented each other’s games from the moment we came together and at the end of last season we showed what we can do.

“He’s a very experienced and reliable lad to have alongside – hopefully he thinks the same about playing next to me.”

Dawson's 200th game for the Baggies will come against Rotherham this weekend. Out of the current squad, only James Morrison and Chris Brunt have made more appearances for Albion.

But Dawson wanted to leave in the summer, and handed in a transfer request after West Ham and Burnley both made bids for him.

Albion, however, turned down his request and stood by their £20m price-tag, which neither club were willing to meet.

Although the Baggies have only kept one clean sheet in the league this season, Dawson and Hegazi’s partnership at centre-back has been one of the crucial components of a six-game unbeaten run that has lifted Albion to third.

But the 28-year-old, who is out of contract at the end of next season, believes last Friday’s comeback win away at Sheffield United sent a message to the rest the division.

“The Championship is a division that just never lets up,” he said. “It’s game after game and they are all tough especially as everyone wants to knock over a team that was in the Premier League the previous season.

“But I think we have established our position among the contenders now and we want to kick on.

“That was an important win for us at Sheffield United because they were in good form and they are a difficult opponent especially at Bramall Lane.

“We fought our way into the game and then controlled the match over the second half. I think the result was important because it set out a marker.

“That’s what we are capable of and that’s the level we feel we are capable of.

“The Championship is going to test us and there are going to be lots of thrills and spills between now and the end of the season.

“It could turn out to be a bit of a thriller. But I think we have shown the rest of the division now that we are up for it and ready for the battle.”